MINNEAPOLIS - Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson met with longtime NHL executive Rick
Dudley yesterday, but he described the get-together as more of an "exploratory chat" than an
interview.

Dudley was fired as GM of the Atlanta Thrashers last month after the franchise moved to
Winnipeg. He also has been GM with Florida and Tampa Bay and a coach in Buffalo, and he is regarded
as having one of the NHL's sharpest eyes for amateur talent.

Howson said he called Dudley to offer condolences in the wake of his firing, and the two agreed
to meet this weekend at the NHL draft to "see what his situation is, what he might be thinking
about his future."

The Blue Jackets will be looking for two, and possibly three, hockey-operations executives this
summer, and Dudley would appear to be a qualified candidate for at least two of the posts.

The Jackets are certain to hire a director of hockey operations/assistant general manager to
replace Don Boyd, who was fired this month after 12 years with the organization. A director of pro
scouting is needed, too, after the firing of Bob Strumm.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets still might hire a "senior adviser," an experienced voice to aid
Howson at the top of the organization. Former Blue Jackets coach Dave King might be willing to step
down from his job as an assistant coach in Phoenix for such an opportunity, but there would lots of
candidates.

"We're going to get through these next two weeks and then see who's out there, who we can talk
to, who's interested," Howson said, referring to this weekend's draft and the beginning of free
agency on July 1.

Dudley had signed a four-year contract extension with the Thrashers worth $800,000 per year, but
the new Winnipeg owners bought him out for $1 million.

Slap shots

The Blue Jackets will open the 2011-12 season against Nashville on Friday, Oct.7, in Nationwide
Arena, sources told
The Dispatch. The
Star-Tribune in Minneapolis reported that the Wild open against Columbus in Xcel Energy
Center the following night. The full schedule is due out at 2 p.m. today.